Ok, so just how far does photographic art go?

[bobt54]

work is work and pbase is fun

looks like my use of the word "fun" was totally misunderstood, either it's my bad english or some simply don't want to understand the words above:

may those few raise their hands who can honestly say "work is fun"

I understood you just fine. You are saying Pbase is Not Safe For Work. Based on the current state of affairs here at Pbase, I have to agree. It would be nice if Pbase were safe for work as there are some of us who do enjoy our jobs partly because we have the luxury of being able to take a break from work to surf the web. It would be nice if people were responsible when they posted "objectionable" material by not posting it in a PAD site, by putting the appropriate warnings in their galleries title and by turning off voting. Yes, it would be nice, but that is not reality here. Reality is that some people don't care what shows up in the public gallery or who sees it. This reality is never going to change until Slug decides to change it, not by spot fixes but with a strong policy against such material. Until then the reality is If you don't like it, don't look. Stay away. Go somewhere else.

[jude_53]

jumping in late here but "not a place for clients"? not true at all. I have a seperate account that I use for clients only where there are samples of my work. I also use it to post password protected galleries where I upload their proofs for them, family, and friends to view. They choose which photo(s) and what sizes they would like and then place an order by phone or email. They LOVE the set up.. I generally have their photos ready for view within 2 days - orders done by the end of a week.

I have no idea if they choose to look elsewhere on the site. although quite of few of them know my other account - jude_53 - and check it out. The only feedback I've gotten is how well they like the photos and how I set up my OWN account is. You see, my work account is professionally done enough that they only consider me responsible for what I do, not the rest of pbase.

I'm not ashamed of pbase in the least.. although photos like the one Gary linked to would be a shock to most "visitors" as well as pbasers. The truth is .. there are LESS of that kind of photo than really bad snapshots (that IS a little embarassing for clients to see, by the way..lol) The majority of nude/erotic/sensual photos done on this site are artful.. and I wouldn't for a minute try to defend them to a client. They either get it or don't.. but I assume anyone who comes to a photography site must KNOW that there will be some nudes.. If they don't, they live in lala land and have never ventured into a museums for fear of seeing naked statues and paintings.

On that note, let me conclude by saying..

I have fun at my job.. so there

[camera0bug]

Contains Erotic Images:
http://www.pbase.com/ethicalheretic/natures_erotica

...be careful who's looking over your shoulder.

[erichmangl]

If you don't like it, don't look. Stay away. Go somewhere else.

golden words, you got it right

[gpaai]

If you don't like it, don't look. Stay away. Go somewhere else.

golden words, you got it right

How did I know you would single that sentence out? Hahaha!

[erichmangl]

How did I know you would single that sentence out? Hahaha!

because you are the smartest and i was reading only the fat characters :-p

[hmetal]

First of all, I don't know what my image has to do with the image that was linked to in the topic head post.

First and foremost, the image in question is not even remotely on par, neither from an artistic standpoint NOR a photographic standpoint as my Veneris image (this link not work-safe). My Veneris image does not infer sexual activity nor does it exhibit any human excretions. My image is of female SKIN and skin alone. It is a study of both the female form and of lines and curves.

To infer that my image is anything remotely akin to the image in question in this topic is not only insulting but also irresponsible.

Akey's own wife doesn't want her brothers and nephews or mother to see her unclothed as she herself reports in another thread

That is not what Sharon said. What she said was that, while she doesn't care if they see it, she wants them to have a choice as to which of our galleries they prefer. There are members of her family that have seen ALL of our images, erotic and otherwise. Her mother also knows about the image and about Sharon's nude modeling session with another local photographer.

However, not assuming that PBase is strictly for family photos and "huggy bunnies," and furthermore hoping that PBase never becomes a Webshots or Smugmug where all "full frontal nudity" is frowned upon, I have a "non-nude portfolio" site for people to see ONLY my wildlife and non-nude photos. I would never want PBase to ban "tasteful" nudity, which I define as nudity that does not depict sexual intercourse nor show a person with body excretions on her (or him).

The existence of my seperate galleries does not preclude our respective families from entering "Ray Akey" or "Sharon Akey" into Google and seeing our nude work, and they all know this. They all know about PBase and our work posted here.

Since this whole controversy and the commotion surrounding it came to the forefront, some very interesting things have happened as result.

First, we have gotten rave reviews on our "Veneris" image.

Second, seeing as Bob Townsend and a few others made it both such a popular and a controversial image at the same time, it incensed me to try even harder to get the image seen and to spawn more healthy discussions about nudity. Everyone I've showed or talked to about the image has nothing but praise, not only from an art aspect, but also for us being so at ease with our sexuality. The most common response was, "it is unfortunate that the rest of the world is so sexually repressed and repressive." (or something similar)

Third, I entered it and 3 others for review into The Dirty Show. Their judging criteria was:

1. Is it art?
2. Is it erotic?
3. Is it unique?
.. They also noted that, "if you can shock us, you'll definitely make the exhibit."

So, Veneris was picked to grace the exhibition's walls. A single 12"x18" framed print will be exhibited and for sale.

So, again, I thank Bob Townsend and others who continually try to make the kind of art that is in my particular gallery a dirty little secret. You have made this image a success and I will continue to place my erotic images in PAD, where they can be found and seen by our fans and others who enjoy erotic art and all of the other genres in which we engage our skills as photographers and models.

Respectfully,

Ray A. Akey (and his beautiful wife, Sharon)

[gpaai]

First of all, I don't know what my image has to do with the image that was linked to in the topic head post.

Absolutely nothing as far as I'm concerned. Personally I would consider your image acceptable as long as there were some kind of general warning on the PAD Meta Gallery.

As for the image I linked on this thread. I would love to see this type image disappear completely.

Gary

[jypsee]

another poster in this thread asked why yours is art and the topic photo isn't

and...I said that your wife said what she said because I read this:
"belovedone" who is Sharon Akey says
"We have a "family safe" site so my family can see the picture of me. I do not want my mother and my nephews and brothers to see pictures of me naked. If it were up to Ray he would not seperate sites. I am the model I think I have a say on who sees me naked... there is no hypocrisy here."

but, then she goes on to say:
"First of all they are not a "dirty little secret" my family know all about my nude pictures they are the ones who choose not to see them. Its a comfort thing on their part, not mine. They want to see them they are in a public for them to see they choose to go where I am not nude..."

and, your photo getting attention in some venue where people want to see shaved pubic areas is just super!!

[hmetal]

your photo getting attention in some venue where people want to see shaved pubic areas is just super!!

I agree. However, don't you think there are enough Smugmugs, Flikrs and Webshots around? I would hope that most people like the alternative that PBase "tries" to be. Though, if the stuffed shirts have any say, PBase WILL be another Smugmug.

While that may be great for Slug & Emily from a business/money standpoint, the true artisans of the world will have another sad day on their hands.

PBase needs to remain as artistic and free as it can, as long as it is within legal limits of its geographical home.

[steveandbecky]

I apologize to you and Sharon for the earlier things I said.

Best of luck to you two in the future.

-Steve

[aestus]

Oh dear... another 'discussion' about nudity on Pbase. Having been on the receiving end of comments like 'tasteless and respectless' for images that were a lot more tame than the one being discussed here, I feel I am being encouraged to 'choose a side' here, and my side is definitely against censorship.

Believe or not, I am a nice guy, and in order to satisfy the more sensitive minded members of PAD, I was wary of posting nudes (specifically, penises... or is that penii?) without some sort of covering and a link to the full monty. However, this discussion has become so ridiculous, and has annoyed me enough that it is my intention to stop my self censorship.

I have marched down the middle of Toronto's busiest street entirely naked to make a point, and I am not going back into the closet for anyone. I'm afraid the people who tend to swing more to the prudish side of life will have to just cope.

This doesn't mean that I will now take a whole bunch of self nudes and post them just for the irritation factor, but I will not hesitate to post one if that is where my art takes me that day.

Well done boys! Hail nudity! And love your body, for goddess' sake!

[gpaai]

It's funny how this subject matter ALWAYS seems to become out of control, when it was simple a matter of wondering how a public area such as the PAD Meta Gallery could be fair to ALL members.

Maybe PBase should simply be turned into another one of those "Click here if under 13" sites.

Gary

BTW, Aestus, I have always seen you as a thoughtful and responsible PBaser when it came to the way you present your images. Please don't change.

[jttaint]

I know some have come to consider me some sort of PAD Police in the past. But I'm sorry this is just plain sick! If images like this are going to become acceptable on the Photo A Day meta gallery, I'm outta here!

Caution graphic:

http://www.pbase.com/image/53703311

WOW I see we have been busy.
Thanks for forcing me to censor my galleries.

The images were not removed by pbase, they were removed by me.

IF THIS gentleman (I use the term loosely because individuals like this belong in Hitlers Germany) would have bothered to read my profile
at that point in time, it said that I was new to pbase and would greatly
appreciate any help or input.

I had no idea that the pad galleries were used the way they were otherwise
that image would not have been there.

As to if it is art or not ?
No, that particular photograph was HUMOR.
It was not intended to be art or artistic.
I do belive that alot of my work is artistic, but this person cannot view
my work as a whole and wanted me kicked off of pbase.

Yes thats right, he reports people to slug, calls them out on the boards here, and trys to have them removed from this site.

You sir are a child, and I say this because, if you were an adult, you
would know that its very easy to click that back button, and look at
something else.

My intention was not to get "hits" with that photo, it was to show
to my friends. I could care less what my hit count on pbase is.

I apologize for coming late on this discussion, but no one informed me
that anyone had a problem, with the acception of the management of
pbase.

I found this thread through a google search, and I am glad I did,
I am forever greatful to the knowledge and perspective that
other pbase members have given me in the past.

I support freedom of speech

[jttaint]

As for the image I linked on this thread. I would love to see this type image disappear completely

As I would love to see people like you disappear completely Gary.

The more I think about it the more upset I get.

Who are you to judge me ??

You didn't even have the courtsey to inform me that you were
talking about me on the boards, where I could put in my input
and just by luck I found this thread.

You are a piece of crap period